After his bike takes a hit in the ambulance bay, Robby levels with Duke. A spinal cord injury forces Langdon to attempt a risky procedure.
"8:00 P.M." was written by Noah Wyle and directed by Uta Briesewitz
Robby doesn't know if he wants to be anywhere anymore. He's with Duke when he makes this confession. Not Dana. Not Abbot. Not Caleb. He confides in the man who has helped him fix up his motorcycle. The vehicle represented his freedom following this shift. After today, he could embark on the open road. He had a plan. The staff knew about it. As the shift has gone on, he's broken down about possibly never returning. It's not just burn out from the stress of the job. He feels in control while working. He can make sense of the chaos and put people back together. He also carries the wisdom that some injuries can't be fixed. Some people will remain broken. He feels that way about himself. He doesn't think anything can be done to improve. And so, he doubts living entirely. It's scary. It's certainly not what Duke was expecting. He's faced with his own mortality. Robby explains how he needs surgery. Otherwise, he would likely drop dead within a year. Duke sees it as a choice that has to be made. To Robby, only one option exists. Surgery must occur. This condition can be healed. His bike can be as well. It only suffers cosmetic damage when an ambulance runs into it. Everyone expects an outburst from Robby. He's too drained to do so. He just wants to leave. He can't because the craziness continues. He has plenty of people looking out for him. They don't want him to give up. He wouldn't be teaching the right lesson if he did. And yet, nothing seems to dissuade him from this internal battle.
Robby doesn't know if he wants to be anywhere anymore. He's with Duke when he makes this confession. Not Dana. Not Abbot. Not Caleb. He confides in the man who has helped him fix up his motorcycle. The vehicle represented his freedom following this shift. After today, he could embark on the open road. He had a plan. The staff knew about it. As the shift has gone on, he's broken down about possibly never returning. It's not just burn out from the stress of the job. He feels in control while working. He can make sense of the chaos and put people back together. He also carries the wisdom that some injuries can't be fixed. Some people will remain broken. He feels that way about himself. He doesn't think anything can be done to improve. And so, he doubts living entirely. It's scary. It's certainly not what Duke was expecting. He's faced with his own mortality. Robby explains how he needs surgery. Otherwise, he would likely drop dead within a year. Duke sees it as a choice that has to be made. To Robby, only one option exists. Surgery must occur. This condition can be healed. His bike can be as well. It only suffers cosmetic damage when an ambulance runs into it. Everyone expects an outburst from Robby. He's too drained to do so. He just wants to leave. He can't because the craziness continues. He has plenty of people looking out for him. They don't want him to give up. He wouldn't be teaching the right lesson if he did. And yet, nothing seems to dissuade him from this internal battle.
Robby's mad at himself. Ellis offers that observation to Langdon. His former protégé couldn't see that. He was too close to the conflict. He was the source of disappointment. Langdon questions his own abilities. He doesn't know if he can operate in this environment once more. The pain that fueled his addiction has returned. He tweaked his back once more when rushing the kid with heat exhaustion into the trauma room. He had to act quickly. He still carries the scars of the past. He forgets he was meant to submit to a drug test. Dana reminds him and covers for his tardiness. He executes a high risk maneuver in reducing a spinal cord injury. He does so under Robby's guidance. The two of them have the potential to operate in sync once more. They can bring out the best in each other. The emotions remain too raw. They can't be addressed. Trust has to be rebuilt over time. They must also decide to keep coming back. They're on their own separate journeys in that regard. They can't be responsible for what happens with the other person. That isn't their burden. Robby operates with authority. In focusing on others, he's forgotten how to manage himself. He's running because it's easy.
Others look to Robby for guidance. At this point in the shift, he's more volatile. He doesn't always offer the best insight. He criticizes Javadi for filming her social media videos during the shift. He worries about patient privacy. He doesn't engage with her contact. He doesn't even know what she's doing. Instead, McKay explains that Javadi is using her skills to look for any updates on Jesse. She's honoring the bond of this department. She's part of the team. She's stepping up how he always demands from his staff. This proves that. Robby couldn't see that. Similarly, he knows Mohan isn't doing well after Orlando was readmitted. He continues to insist it was a suicide attempt. He sees the signs clearly. It aligns with his own bleak view of the world. Caleb points out that Robby made an inappropriate comment. It's not healing for Mohan in the slightest. She believes she made a mistake. He reassures her that she didn't. It's just words coming out of his mouth. They aren't delivered with any sense of compassion. Orlando is transferred to the ICU. Mohan thinks she could have done more to save his life. She internalizes this loss. Robby accepts that as part of the job. He's carried it for so long that he doesn't know how to help others through it. They're simply destined to end up in the same mental space as him one day.
Robby's outraged when the paramedics fail to place leads in the correct position to determine whether a patient is having a heart attack. They're too concerned about being admonished for touching her breasts. That endangers her life. The staff would have operated with more urgency if they'd received the correct data at the door. Instead, they had to correct the mistake while issuing a shock to resuscitate the patient. It's a scary moment. Robby doesn't have any time for subtlety. He needs the paramedics to acknowledge their mistake. He demands the female members of the staff raise their hands about wanting to live. That's more important than any temporary embarrassment. Notably, Al-Hashimi exits the room quickly after Robby intervenes to save the patient. She vanishes for most of the episode after that. She reaches out to Robby after he makes his public display for the paramedics. She needs him to offer an opinion. She shares her health information. She's suffered from a neurological condition for most of her life. It's compromised her at various points during the shift. Robby noticed and was concerned. He feared what would happen to his department without him. This reveal could further alarm him. Instead, he's stunned by the vulnerability. That's the energy channeled in the moments heading into the finale. Al-Hashimi wanted to be seen as Robby's equal. Now, she needs his advice as a doctor with her as the patient.
Some more thoughts:
- Dana tells Abbot that he better check on Robby. They need to know that he plans on coming back. Her voice communicates the severity of her concerns. Abbot doesn't have the time to act on them. He's in charge of the department now. He must manage the staff during the night shift.
- So much of the shift has seen Whitaker stepping up and carrying on the department's traditions. Here though, he realizes he's lost his ID badge. It repositions him back as the intern still capable of mistakes. He strives for good karma. Instead, his act of kindness results in a Lyft surcharge after he helps a racist old lady get home.
- Langdon offers advice when Whitaker notices his badge is gone. However, Whitaker doesn't want Langdon to determine his place here. Langdon tries to foster a friendship. Whitaker doesn't appreciate it. He's loyal to Santos. He wants better than how Langdon treats him. He speaks up. He's tentative about it. The message is still communicated.
- Donnie is the only one from the day shift Robby lets leave early. The staff must work together to get the files digitized and charts done. It can't be left to just a few individuals. Donnie having a baby at home provides him with a convenient excuse. Robby understands and lets it slide. He probably wouldn't be as forgiving if McKay asked to go on her date.
- The Hansen family is back in the ER. The family reunion included a tug of war. The patriarch didn't have enough sensation in his hand to know the rope was completely tearing it apart. It's a gruesome visual. A nerve block is still needed to clear out the wound. This serves as yet another story highlighting the side effects of diabetes.
- Mel wonders if anyone got information from the historical re-enactors who came in earlier. This is a sign of her pursuing her own interests. She previously mentioned loving the renaissance fair. That's only once a year. Now, she realizes she deserves to prioritize herself since her sister is doing so. Too bad none of her colleagues are much help. Langdon would be though.
- Duke's hurt people. He has plenty of regrets. He's served his time. The world hasn't been kind to him. Despite all of that, he serves as the guide for Robby. That's unexpected. His importance came along so suddenly. Robby's only plan may be overseeing Duke's care. He needs to check in to see if he's keeping his appointments. That may be enough to get him to stay. It's purpose even though it remains in service to another person instead of addressing Robby's underlying issues.
